Handguns For Concealed Carry, Protection And Self-Defense, In Tennessee

The debate in Tennessee and elsewhere in the country about the 2nd amendment is one that will go one for many years to come, and regardless of which side of the debate you are on there are some simple and undeniable facts, the world has changed, there are evil people and organizations in the world and even in our county.

Every citizen in Tennessee one must be prepared for all possible contingencies, and we at US Precision Defense firmly believe that a responsibly and legally armed citizen is a safe citizen. One of the single best forms of self-defense protection that can be carried concealed on one’s person is in fact a Handgun; it can stop a violent attack like no other weapon.

Whether in Tennessee, or really anywhere in the country and if confronted by a violent criminal or some mentally deranged evil person a Handgun in the hands of someone that is trained and prepared for an armed encounter has the ability to stop that evil, quickly and decisively.

In Tennessee or anywhere US Precision Defense can help you become a responsible, confident Handgun owner that is ready to defend themselves and their family, anywhere they happen to be.

Article 1, Section 26 of The Tennessee State Constitutional Provision States: “That the citizens of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defense; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime.”

A license is required to carry a loaded handgun either openly or concealed. Such permits are issued through the Department of Safety to qualified residents 21 years or older for a 4 year term. Tennessee recognizes any valid, out-of-state permit for carrying a handgun as long as the permittee is not a resident of Tennessee.

Tennessee is not a traditional open carry state. However, Tennessee is a shall-issue state that issues a carry permit that allows both open and concealed carry.

February 2013; The year's most watched piece of gun legislation in Tennessee appears to be on the fast track to the floor of the state House of Representatives, even though both sides say serious questions remain about it. A bill that would give nearly 400,000 gun owners in Tennessee the right to carry their weapons in their vehicles anywhere they want including school and workplace parking lots could be passed soon.

April 25, 2013, Governor Bill Haslam signed a law that closed the public’s access to all information contained in any application for a handgun carry permit in Tennessee. Those records are now “confidential, not open or available for public inspection and shall not be released in any manner.”

If you are a Tennessee resident and want to carry a loaded handgun on your person or in your vehicle, you must obtain a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit. In Shelby county alone, there are approximately 25,000 residents who are licensed to carry a handgun. It is relatively easy to obtain the license, provided you meet certain requirements and receive proper safety training. Expect to spend some money. Handgun safety courses can often cost around $100, as does the permit application fee. In addition, the cost of a weapon and ammunition can be substantial.

US Precision Defense has a free directory of Firearms instructors in Tennessee and other states located on our home page.

2013; Tennessee is one of four states, along with Arizona, Georgia and Virginia, that recently enacted laws explicitly allowing loaded guns in bars. (Eighteen other states allow weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol.) The new measures in Tennessee and the three other states come after two landmark Supreme Court rulings that citizens have an individual right, not just in connection with a well-regulated militia, to keep a loaded handgun for home defense.

Experts say these laws represent the latest wave in the country’s gun debate, as the gun lobby seeks, state by state, to expand the realm of guns in everyday life.

Tennessee has a self-defense law based on the castle doctrine. Enacted in 2007, the law does not require a duty to retreat. It extends the right for persons to defend themselves from attacks by using physical or deadly force in any place they have a legal right to be. The law provides civil immunity for persons using physical or deadly force to protect themselves from an attacker.

While open carry is prohibited for anyone who doesn’t have a carry permit, having a permit enables persons to transport long guns, rifles or shotguns in their vehicles. The firearms can be loaded, but cannot have a shell in the chamber.

A statement from the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association: “The Sheriffs of Tennessee are strong supporters of the 2nd Amendment rights of their citizens and have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, the Constitution of the United States of America, and the laws and ordinances of their counties and will fulfill that oath. The Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association and the Tennessee Firearms Association co-authored the Tennessee Handgun Permit Law in May of 1994.”

U.S. Precision Defense assumes no liability and is not responsible for the actions of its members or readers of this website. The materials provided here are the opinions of the authors, are intended solely for education purposes, and should not be relied on for legal or professional advice. Laws relating to firearms and the use of deadly force vary from state to state, and each individual is responsible for compliance with the laws of each jurisdiction. If legal or other professional advice is needed, consult a lawyer or other professionals. All materials on this website are copyrighted to U.S. Precision Defense and may not be republished without permission from U.S. Precision Defense.